MMGM NW Authors: Wildwood by Colin Meloy and Illustrated by Carson Ellis

About The Book: The first book in the epic middle-grade fantasy series full of magic, wonder, and danger—nothing less than an American Narnia—from Colin Meloy, lead singer of the highly celebrated band the Decemberists, and Carson Ellis, the acclaimed illustrator of the New York Times bestselling The Mysterious Benedict Society.

First Line: How five crows managed to lift a twenty-pound baby boy into the air was beyond Prue, but that was certainly the least of her worries.

Love This Line: “As she walked, she breathed a quick benediction to the patron saint of sleuthing. "Nancy Drew," she whispered, "be with me now.”

Carson in her studio.

Illustrator: Carson Ellis   
Website
Twitter: @cfellis

Carson Ellis was born in 1975 in Vancouver, Canada. She was raised in suburban New York and college-educated at the University of Montana in Missoula, where she earned a BFA in Painting in 1998.

Carson has been a babysitter in New York, a hot dog vendor in California, a chairlift operator in Vermont, an artist's model in Montana, and a cocktail waitress in Minnesota. These days she is happy to be an illustrator in Oregon, providing art for such bestselling books as The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket, and Wildwood by Colin Meloy. Additionally, she is the illustrator-in-residence for the band, The Decemberists, and has created art for their album covers, t-shirts, websites, posters, and stage sets. Each fall she teaches a free twelve-session drawing workshop for teenagers at the Portland Art Museum.

Carson lives in Portland with her husband Colin, son Hank, and Window the cat. —Website

What Others Have Said: "Meloy has created a tale that combines fantasy, an eco-fable, and a coming-of-age story. Have the book available so listeners can peruse Carson Ellis's fantastic illustrations that perfectly capture Meloy's fantasy world." —School Library Journal

"Sometimes things get almost too Portlandy, as though the characters from the brilliant TV satire “Portlandia” have gotten lost in Narnia. Picture Fred Armisen squinting from behind his glasses as he smugly informs the killer coyotes that he’s actually, you know, a pacifist." —New York Book Review


What I Thought:
     Where to start?  I put off reading the book, mainly because I'm a slow methodical reader (it's 560 pages). Then after reading the first page I knew this would be a book that I would pause and reread sentences just to hear the music, so again I put it off. This book is not only lyrical at times, I hear music crescendoing off the page. It didn't surprise me...after all the author is Colin Meloy vocalist and songwriter of the Decemberists. 

I love the "Impassible Wilderness" that Meloy creates and the fact that it's just outside Portland. The animals and adventures are tangible enough to make me wonder if "IM" actually exists. The breadth of the story brings on a sense of a timeless classic. I thoroughly enjoyed Prue and all the quirky Portland-like characters. (Of course, I'm a huge Portlandia Fan.) I suppose it could have been a bit shorter, but then again, I'm not sure what I would have cut. I recommend this great NW read as the perfect read-aloud to kids, boys and girls! It will have them begging for one more page, please?

 About The Author: Colin Meloy
Website
Book Website
EW Author Interview
Twitter @colinmelo
Facebook

Colin Patrick Henry Meloy (born October 5, 1974) is the lead singer and songwriter for the Portland, Oregon folk-rock band The Decemberists. In addition to his vocal duties, he plays acoustic guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, and percussion. As of 2005, Meloy has written a 100-page book on The Replacements' fourth album, Let It Be, released as part of the 33⅓ series.

Meloy was born in Helena, Montana. His sister is Maile Meloy, an author often published in The New Yorker. He first attended the University of Oregon before going to the University of Montana, where he majored in creative writing. He then moved to Portland, where he met future bandmates Jenny Conlee and Nate Query. Prior to being in The Decemberists, Meloy was the lead singer and songwriter of Happy Cactus and Tarkio, both indie/folk bands from Montana. —Goodreads
The Sequel Under Wildwood  was just released in September 25th!

Can't really talk about the book without sharing some great songs by the Decemberists...
  
After you have enjoyed the below videos you have got to check out the other MMGMers in my  sidebar who all have some awesome reviews for you.





I will be featuring NW middle grade authors over the next several weeks. Here's a peek at what's coming up...

Memoir: Something To Hold by Katherine Schlick Noe 

Fiction Novel: The Ring of Leilani by Annie Crawford

Memoir: Animals Welcome by Peg Kehret

Nonfiction: Camp Out! by Lynn Brunelle

Historical Fiction Novel: Pebblehoof by Jason Black

Lastly, a shout-out to Cafe Solace, a local NW small business, who's running a Movember Special to support prostate cancer. Check it out here.

Was That It? Really? (More on Heron Haus)

The "breakfast" in Bed and Breakfast would imply that it's role in your experience should be memorable. If not memorable, at least adequate. We were told that the gourmet breakfasts were exceptional. If by gourmet you mean small portions on big plates than yes, it was right on the mark. We were first served a handful of mixed berries with a dollop of plain yogurt. There was coffee, juice and a large assortment of teas. Our next course was a skinny wedge of quiche garnished with three bites of a beet and two tiny triangles of toast. We were always graciously told where the ingredients were from. After waiting for 15 minutes, thinking that these were tasty appetizers we realized that this was indeed the end.

The next day we were met with the same small bowl of berries and plain yogurt. This time we were prepared for the lack of substance and had grabbed a few cookies from the night before to eat in the morning. (These are oatmeal raisin, chocolate chip cookies the size of a half dollar. Same cookies, each evening, left on an uncovered plate.)  A two or three bite muffin with jam accompanied an elegant southwestern fritatta served in individual 3x5 shallow dishes, not quite an inch deep. On the side were three bite sized pieces of breakfast squash, garnished with a mint leaf. Again, juice, coffee and tea were available.

So the last morning we hardly saw the point of rising early when we knew we would be in search of a more substantial breakfast elsewhere. When my husband did venture downstairs an hour later, our hostess said, "Oh there you are, you missed breakfast." He told her we were both very tired and needed to sleep in a bit. There was still several travelers finishing up their breakfasts, the kitchen was still open. She made no offer of breakfast to us. After we were packed and ready to check out, maybe 20 minutes later, I knocked on the half open door of the kitchen.  Two lonely fruit and yogurt bowls sat on the counter. When I handed her the keys she again made no offer to give us our (paid for) breakfast. There is a difference between a light breakfast and a skimpy one. I should know, I learned how to make a slice of bread feed 6 children.

Note to Self:
1. Gourmet actually means meagerly servings of mildly tasty creations on large plates.
2.You are only served when you are seated at the place setting, no wandering.  (I witnessed a poor elderly women be told that she wouldn't be served until she sat down at the place setting where she took her coffee mug from.)
3. If you snooze, you lose, literally. Breakfast doesn't start at 8:30am it IS at 8:30, no exceptions.
4. This bed and breakfast would be more aptly named, bed and snack.

Next:  The Room

Beautiful Setting: Poor Service

The Heron Haus bed and breakfast sits atop what locals refer to as Nob hill. Nestled in a wooded setting, the winding driveway leads to the courtyard of this spacious turn of the century Tudor/Craftsman Mansion. Heron Haus is a 10,000 square foot English Tudor home designed by noted Portland architect Joseph Jacobberger in 1904
Your first stop is the warmly decorated breakfast dining area complete with coffee,  hot water with a large selection of teas. Beautiful built in bookcases line the walls of the library loaded with books, a window seat that overlooks the yard, and cushy chairs to curl up in. The decor is beautifully done with interesting pieces and comfortable furniture. There is a veranda complete with more comfortable sitting. The wood staircase takes you up to the second floor where again simplicity, plenty of light and carefully placed artwork reflect attention to detail . The setting and home were perfect, clean, stylish, and bright and airy. 

We arrived at the Heron Haus in Portland, Oregon later than we had planned, 7:00 instead of 6:00pm, late start and bad traffic.  Our hostess was personable but seemed nervous and  restrained. Before showing us around or even welcoming us to her home, she asked for payment.(Something about signing off on $600+ before even seeing the room didn't sit right.Credit card, yes, signature, seriously?)  She then told us to get our things before showing us around or even to our room. With our bags in hand she gave us a brisk tour and a few restaurant recommendations and then disappeared and didn't materialize until 8:30am for breakfast. I guess we shouldn't have been late.


Tomorrows post:  The Breakfast

Back From the Stratosphere...

Ok, maybe not that far but I wanted to use the word. I just returned from a great little get away to Portland, Oregon. What a fun city to hang out in. So this week I am going to try my hand at reviewing restaurants, our bed and breakfast and points of interest. I have always wanted to try my hand at travel reviews so this could be fun!

Some reviews to look forward to:
Heron Haus Bed and Breakfast
Serratto Restaurant
Pine State Buscuits

Paley's Place
Portland Farmers Market
Japanese Garden
Multnoma Falls

Have you been to Portland?